Anointing of the Sick
Through the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, the Church commends the sick to the glorified Lord who suffered for us so that he may save them and raise them up.
In the past, we usually referred to Anointing as Extreme Unction or the Last Rites; this is no longer the Church’s approach. Those who receive holy Anointing should not only be alive but conscious of what is taking place so as to be able to participate in the liturgy.
In exceptional circumstances Anointing may be celebrated with Viaticum and even with the Commendation of the Dying; but this is not the ideal. For the prayer of the Church to have its full effect of spiritual healing, comfort and support, each of the ritual moments should be celebrated in its proper course and involve the full, conscious and active participation of the sick as well as family and friends. The sacrament of Reconciliation may take place during Anointing; however, it is better that this sacrament be celebrated as a separate event.
Who to anoint:
- Adults (and children old enough to understand what is taking place) suffering a serious illness, involved in a serious accident, facing surgery or major medical tests.
- The elderly, especially when frailty is pronounced - even without serious illness.
- Those suffering chronic infirmity (such as arthritis or diabetes) or serious mental illness.
When to anoint
Ideally, it is the sick themselves who contact the parish for the sacraments, while they are still able to experience the consolation and grace they provide. Families should contact the parish as soon as the situation becomes serious. The reception of the sacraments for the sick should never be delayed.
Anointing should always take place in the early stages of serious illness—before there is a sense of crisis. If the sick person's condition becomes more serious, the sacrament may be repeated. It is not essential to repeat the anointing, even if it took place early in the illness. Anointing of the sick is not celebrated after death.
The reception of the sacraments for the sick should never be delayed especially when it is a priest who must be involved in their celebration and who may not always be immediately available even in an emergency.
Care of the dying
Viaticum is the sacrament of the dying: Holy Communion received as food for the final journey to eternal life. This celebration includes the renewal of the baptismal profession of faith and the Apostolic Pardon. Ideally, this takes place at a celebration of the Eucharist with family and friends involved and with the dying person conscious of what is taking place.
When a priest is not available, the rites for the dying or for the dead are lead by a deacon or lay minister.
Viaticum
In holy Viaticum, the dying are united with Christ in their passage from this world to the Father. Through the Commendation of the Dying, the Church reflects on the union that is brought to fulfilment after death. These prayers are intended to help the dying person face our human anxiety about death and imitate the suffering Christ. Viaticum, not Anointing, is the sacrament for the dying.
Care of the dead
Even when the person is not conscious, those present can draw consolation from the prayers and come to a better understanding of the paschal character of Christian death.
When death has occurred, Anointing is not celebrated or administered. The sacraments are for the living; the dead are remembered through the prayer of the Church. The priest or other minster present offers special prayers for the one who has died and commends him/her to God.
Different ministers
The Church's care for the sick involves many different ministers…
Priests celebrate the sacrament of Anointing and administer Viaticum when it is given at Mass.
Deacons, religious and lay people are chaplains in hospitals and institutions and are involved in parish care for the sick and dying. They give Viaticum outside Mass and pray the Commendation of the Dying (including those rites when death has already occurred).
Extraordinary ministers bring Communion to the sick and dying (including Viaticum) and often lead prayers for the sick on behalf of the parish community.
The parish community remembers the sick at Mass and prays for their recovery.
Preparations
Sickness provides the time and inclination for greater prayer and reflection; such moments should be encouraged. The sickroom should have a Bible, New Testament or book of Psalms; a crucifix, holy picture or statue; holy water may be placed within the reach of the sick person.
When Anointing is celebrated or Viaticum is brought, it is proper to have a table, covered with a cloth and with a lighted candle, near the bed of the sick person.
A glass of water if helpful for the reception of Hoy Communion. The Eucharistic fast is not required of the sick.
Different celebrations
Anointing of the Sick often takes place within the family, the smallest Christian community. It is also celebrated in larger groups, such as the parish, nursing home or residence, and hospital. When anointing is celebrated regularly in such institutions, those who have received need not be anointed again, even if the situation becomes critical.
Anointing is clearly not a sacrament for the dying, but for the sick. It should be celebrated early in the illness, so that both the sick and caregivers may experience the healing and consolation that it brings. Celebrating Anointing early also permits those suffering chronic illness or facing surgery to receive the sacrament in a more relaxed and timely manner.